Locking device



y 1949. N. I... PEDERSEN 2,476,561

LQCKING DEVICE Filed March 17, 194

IN VEN TOR.

Patented July 19, 1949 UNITED STATES. PATENT OFFICE 7 2,476,551... Y

LOCKING n ivlcl y v 7 Norman Lind Pedersen, Los Angeles, Calif. Ap plication March 17, 1945, Serial No. 583,191

This present invention relates to locking devices or lock-washers of the type'which prevent the loosening of nuts.

I-Ieretofore lock-washers have been made of an open, spiral, spring tempered steel in which I 4 Claims. (Grim-3);

a one sided pressure has been exerted against i the nut. This is objectionable as the produced pressure is notgreat enough to prevent the loosening of the nut. 3

The principal objectof this invention is to provide a positive locking device for bolts in which the useful pressure is fully distributed upon the nut, or the bolt head.

Another object of my invention is to provide a locking device'for bolts which affords ready inspection whether'the'bolt or'the nut has been tightened sufficiently or not.

Another object of my invention rests in the fact that the locking device will not crack open, which destroys its eificiency.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a locking device for bolts in which an initial load is applied upon the bolt that is greater than the total expected load to which the bolt is subjected when applied and whereby the working load imposed on the bolt is resiliently carried by my locking device.

My invention consists of novel features of an improved locking device hereinafter described with reference to illustrative drawings.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as the description proceeds.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a top view of my invention.

Fig. 2 is an elevational view in cross section taken along the line a:.r in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a top view of a modified form of my invention.

Fig. 4 is an elevational view in cross section taken along the line 11- 1 in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an elevational view in part cross section of my device installed under the head of a bolt.

Fig. 6 is an elevational view in part cross section of my device compressed under the head of a bolt.

Fig. 7 is an elevational view in part cross section of my device compressed under a nut.

Referring more in detail to the accompanying drawing the locking member I is shown having an annular hollow body of rotation arcuate in cross section formed by a semicircular side wall A and inclined end portions B and B on the top and bottom thereof. Circular openings C and C respectively are provided along the center of member l in the top portion B and. the bottom portion B circumscribing the axis of the hollow body and defining a torusshape. The flattened top and bottomv portions 3 and Brespectively'are'inclined at a predetermined angle 2 as shown in" Fig. 2." 'Ihis'angle' 2 provides the means" for testing. the tightness of the member which is to 'be prevented from rotating. The thicknesst of the locking member l determines the magnitude of the locking force.

In Figs.'3 and 4 I show a modified form of the present invention, member I having a hollow body of rotation comprising aside Wall A of oval cross section and inclined top and bottom portions B and B" respectively. The inclined prtions'B and B are not only inclined on their respective top and bottom faces but the whole thickness of the top and bottom portions 3 and 3 respectively are inclined at the predetermined angle 2 as shown, thus imparting the desired ovoid cross section to the wall of the locking member.

In Fig. 5, an installed locking member I is shown having a bolt 4 passing through the openings of member I. The bolt head 5 is just touching the locking member I, which leaves a gap 6 between the underside of the bolt head 5 and the top face of the locking device I. Another gap 1 between the bottom face of member I and the top face of a flange 8 is shown. Both gaps are formed by the inclined portions B and B respectively.

In Fig. 6, a member I is shown fully compressed having its inclined portions B and B respectively in a horizontal position. This closes the gap 6 at Z between the lower side of the bolt head 5, and the upper portion B of member I. Also gap 1 is closed at Z between the lower portion B and the top face of flange 8.

A flat feeler gage may be passed below the bolt head 5 or below member I, when testing for the tightness of the installation. Should the feeler gage enter a gap the operator will notice it quickly and tighten the nut or bolt further until the gap is closed.

When both gaps 6 and 1 respectively are fully closed the installation is completed.

In Fig. 7, another installation is shown in which a nut in is prevented from turning.

The locking device may be made of highly resilient material and may be compressed until the inclined portions B and B respectively are fully flattened as shown in Figs. 6 and 7.

In order to allow for circumferential stretch of the side walls A without material loss of ten- 3 4 sion and at the same time permit ready comchanges in the details of construction may be pression of the top and bottom walls the walls A made without departing from the scope of the are formed of varying thickness, being thickest invention as set forth in the appended claims. at their circumferential mid portions and taper- I claim: ing with decreasing thickness to their intersec- 5 1. A resilient lock washer having a hollow tion with the inclined inner marginal portions shape of rotation, arcuate in cross-section, a hole B and B. through the ends circumscribing the axis and de- This full compression provides an initial load fining a torus shape, the ends being inclined so in the bolt by tightening; against; lodging:- dfir as to; beflat when; flexed use. vice. The device is dimensioned in" act. 10 2;, The washer; of claim L im which the crosscordance with the requirements of a particular section is substantially semi-circular. application; its wall thickness and the angle on 3. The washer of claim 1 in which the crossinclination of its top and bottom portions SQQfiiOA is Oval- B being predetermined so that when the por 4'. Aresilient lock washer having ahollow shape tions B and B are compressed; to; bring; the; in m of; notation; with; a side wall of arcuate cross clined portions to the horizontal and parallel; relation to each other the device wili exert an r axial thrust which is greater than the acgtualglgad: to be carried by the bolt to which it is applied section having a wall thickness tapering from its mifiportiorr toward its end portions and having top and bottom portions intersecting and formed in continuation of said side wall formed. wit openings eireumscribing the axisof he ashflf am: fini g. orus Sh n S d. in: clined top" and bottom; not; oils. extending flat when therwasher. s. congresses: in se EEDEBSEN;

REFERENCES err-En ieliew ns; ne erences are of; recordin. the file 0 this patent:

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vided' t n- It isgto be understood; 35 .3 2 0? fi sk ne-n-g -m-hn- Jan-19416 F om h. efq s i 3. a highly iqie t p ded; and this 1; mp rtance 11 8: e on a 

